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Native Son

  • 2019
  • TV-MA
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
5.7/10
3K
YOUR RATING
Ashton Sanders in Native Son (2019)
Based on the novel by Richard Wright, 'Native Son' premieres on HBO on April 6.
Play trailer1:53
6 Videos
60 Photos
Drama

A young African-American living in Chicago enters into a seductive new world of money and power after he is hired as a chauffeur for an affluent businessman.A young African-American living in Chicago enters into a seductive new world of money and power after he is hired as a chauffeur for an affluent businessman.A young African-American living in Chicago enters into a seductive new world of money and power after he is hired as a chauffeur for an affluent businessman.

  • Director
    • Rashid Johnson
  • Writers
    • Suzan-Lori Parks
    • Richard Wright
  • Stars
    • Ashton Sanders
    • Margaret Qualley
    • Nick Robinson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.7/10
    3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Rashid Johnson
    • Writers
      • Suzan-Lori Parks
      • Richard Wright
    • Stars
      • Ashton Sanders
      • Margaret Qualley
      • Nick Robinson
    • 40User reviews
    • 26Critic reviews
    • 63Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 7 nominations total

    Videos6

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:53
    Official Trailer
    Official Tease
    Trailer 0:50
    Official Tease
    Official Tease
    Trailer 0:50
    Official Tease
    Native Son: I Appreciate You Saying That
    Clip 1:20
    Native Son: I Appreciate You Saying That
    Why 'Native Son' Is Still Relevant Today
    Interview 5:04
    Why 'Native Son' Is Still Relevant Today
    HBO 2019: It All Starts Here
    Promo 1:45
    HBO 2019: It All Starts Here
    'Native Son' Screenwriter's Eye-Opening Life Advice
    Video 1:26
    'Native Son' Screenwriter's Eye-Opening Life Advice

    Photos60

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    + 53
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    Top cast50

    Edit
    Ashton Sanders
    Ashton Sanders
    • Bigger Thomas
    Margaret Qualley
    Margaret Qualley
    • Mary Dalton
    Nick Robinson
    Nick Robinson
    • Jan
    KiKi Layne
    KiKi Layne
    • Bessie
    Bill Camp
    Bill Camp
    • Mr. Dalton
    Sanaa Lathan
    Sanaa Lathan
    • Trudy Thomas
    Elizabeth Marvel
    Elizabeth Marvel
    • Mrs. Dalton
    David Alan Grier
    David Alan Grier
    • Marty
    Lamar Johnson
    Lamar Johnson
    • Jackson
    Jerod Haynes
    Jerod Haynes
    • Gus
    Aaron Moten
    Aaron Moten
    • Tony
    • (as Aaron Clifton Moten)
    Stephen McKinley Henderson
    Stephen McKinley Henderson
    • Mr. Green
    • (as Stephen Henderson)
    Barbara Sukowa
    Barbara Sukowa
    • Peggy
    Judae'a
    Judae'a
    • Vera
    • (as Judaea Brown)
    Jaedyn Lane
    • Jasmine
    Ashleigh Morghan
    Ashleigh Morghan
    • Jasmine
    Alan B. Jones
    • Detective Calhoun
    • (as Alan Bomar Jones)
    Malkia Stampley
    • Detective Rogers
    • Director
      • Rashid Johnson
    • Writers
      • Suzan-Lori Parks
      • Richard Wright
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews40

    5.73K
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    10

    Featured reviews

    5kelleyjohnson-04058

    ok but...

    While I thought the characters were developed well in the first part of the film, the ending was extremely rushed. I read and loved the book but I felt these characters didn't stay true to the underlying themes within the novel that made it so great. This film doesn't really show the true effects of fear on Bigger and key elements were changed that once again took away from how wonderful this film could have been. I was disappointed.
    6natcalgary

    the most helpful review clearly didn't even watch the movie...

    In his imagination a black guy hooked up with a white girl which never happened.

    Was slow burning movie but well acted and good finish.

    6.2
    5bcfandm

    great then awful

    Just stop watching at 1hour 27 minutes. gets super awkward and weak.
    7jrneptune

    Native Son 2019, worth the watch, read the book, different ending

    Read the book a long time ago. Still have it. Watched the movie and it started off following the novel by Robin Wright fairly well.

    I don't believe a movie adaptation of a novel has to follow the story line and it can be more interesting to have some twists or re-telling of the story. In this case I would say it is a re-telling but the one let down for me is the buildup to the ending.

    It felt like it was rushed and they did not have the time or the budget to provide the finer details of the story to explain the heart of the original story of why the title "Native Son" applied so well to Big and his part to society.

    An incredible cast and I enjoyed everyone's acting. Most of the camerawork was great in my opinion. Felt like it did update the story for our present time. Wished there was more reference to slum lords and the legal system.

    For folks that have not read the book, I hope it inspires them to read it. I know I will be re-reading the story again.
    3PaxtonMalloy

    Ridiculous

    I think this can only be seen as a metaphor because this "plot" can not be taken serious. For one hour the movie is alright even though is is poorly structured since usually within the first half hour you get what the story is about. Here you got no direction.

    At one point our main character will do something unbelievable. I mean that in the literal sense. It is so ridiculously contrived to create drama that it is laughable. At this point it is as if you are watching a whole different movie. It becomes more of a montage and totally falls apart underlined by the unnecessary and pretentious voice over. Sad thing is there was very good acting in here.

    Best Emmys Moments

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    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Adapted from Richard Wright's novel of the same name.
    • Connections
      Remake of Native Son (1951)

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    FAQ16

    • How long is Native Son?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 6, 2019 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Vatan Evladı
    • Filming locations
      • Van Sweringen Residence, 17400 South Park Boulevard, Shaker Heights, Ohio, USA(Dalton home)
    • Production companies
      • Bow and Arrow Entertainment
      • The Domain Group
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 44m(104 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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